July 18, 2022
1 min read

Jessie Duarte, renowned anti-apartheid activist, dies at 68

Duarte, once a personal assistant to South Africa’s liberation struggle icons Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu, had been serving as Deputy Secretary-General of ANC since 2012, a position in ANC’s “Top Six…reports Asian Lite News

South Africa’s renowned anti-apartheid activist and a top leader of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) Jessie Duarte passed away early Sunday morning, her party said in a statement.

Duarte, born on September 19, 1953, was undergoing treatment for cancer and had been on medical leave since November 2021, Xinhua reported quoting the statement.

Duarte, once a personal assistant to South Africa’s liberation struggle icons Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu, had been serving as Deputy Secretary-General of ANC since 2012, a position in ANC’s “Top Six.” She was appointed as the acting secretary-general following the suspension of Ace Magashule in May 2021.

Mandela appointed her as special assistant when he was freed from jail in 1990, a position she held until he became president.

Duarte went on to serve as head of safety and security in the provincial cabinet in the central Gauteng region and spent eight years working for the Department of Foreign Affairs, becoming South Africa’s high commissioner to Mozambique. After exiting the diplomatic service in 2003, she was appointed the ANC’s spokeswoman and then served as chief operations officer in the Presidency until her resignation in 2010.

“She was both a tower of strength to the organisation as well as a matriarch and pillar of her family,” read the statement.

The party said her passing is a “great loss” to her family, the democratic movement and the country as a whole, commending her for dedication to a “united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, prosperous and just” South Africa.

ANC also said she is a committed gender activist and consistently committed to advancing the rights of the poor and marginalised.

Duarte will be buried Sunday afternoon in Johannesburg according to Muslim rites.

Various political parties have sent their condolences to her family, including major opposition parties Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters.

ALSO READ: Ghana confirms first cases of deadly Marburg virus

Previous Story

Ghana confirms first cases of deadly Marburg virus

Next Story

Biden Accused of ‘Iranophobia’

Latest from AFRICA NEWS

India Eyes Global No. 3 Spot, Says Modi

The Prime Minister stated that people of India have resolved to make India a Developed Nation by 2047, when “we celebrate 100 years of Independence”….reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi

India, Namibia to Boost Ties During Modi Visit

This will be the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to Namibia, and the third-ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Namibia….reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to

Uganda’s President Museveni to seek reelection

The upcoming general elections will not only determine the presidency but also see voters elect lawmakers to the national assembly Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni is set to seek reelection for another term

Eritrea seeks to end UN probe into abuses

The mandate in question is held by the Special Rapporteur, a position currently occupied by Sudanese human rights lawyer Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker In a rare and potentially precedent-setting move, Eritrea is attempting
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Israel-Hamas conflict divides opinion in Africa

While Algeria declared “full solidarity with Palestine” early on in

One killed, 30 injured in Sudan’s street protests

One protestor was killed and 30 others injured during mass